Charles Welch
Position
Minister to Senior Adults / Director of Missions
Verse
“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” -Ephesians 2:10
Info
Born: April 2 in Jackson, MS
Spouse: Flo
Children: Chad, Sara & Matt
Education: Hinds Community College, Mississippi College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Siblings: 4 Brothers - Bill, Joe, Steve & Doyle, with one sister, Amy.
Hero: Jesus Christ - my Lord and Savior. My ‘in the flesh’ hero is (was) Dave Busby, (who has now moved to Heaven & is presently with our Lord.)
Hobbies & activities: Hunting, snow skiing, fishing, canoeing & exploring, shooting, eating & watching funny (clean) movies.
Favorite music: I grew up as a youngster on rock. Then I went to country for a while. Later I got into Southern Gospel. I then started listening to contemporary Christian. (by now I’m just confused!) Not really. I listen to Christian music and I try to be discerning into the music that has a message of substance - actually has some content of “meat’ in it that can minister to my soul and spirit.
Favorite movies: I have a warped sense of humor and I know I ain’t right. And as I’ve already stated above under ‘Hobbies’, I like funny (and clean) movies. So this disclaimer explains why I would have the following two movies as some of my favorites - ‘Dumb & Dumber’ & ‘Forest Gump’.
Favorite Starbucks drink: Starbucks is TOO EXPENSIVE! But I do really like sweet tea with lemon.
Life Story
I was born at a young age - very close to my Mom. I must have been born very poor because I came into this world without even so much as clothes! Now on a more serious note… My childhood and youth ages were very blessed times and God was so good, gracious, kind, patient and forgiving. These years were very good - but not necessarily easy or without real struggles. My Dad was killed in our front yard at home one HOT summer day while welding on a backhoe tractor. I was 8 at the time and the oldest of 5 boys. The next few years weren’t all that ‘fun’ or easy. But God is faithful and good ALL THE TIME, whether we know of His working or not. My Mom is truly a trophy of God’s grace and a picture of just what God can and will do for His own who are faithful to Him. She was faithful to the Lord through all those times - - - And still is today. Jesus and Mama are how I got ‘all growed up into somebody at least half-way decent.’
Sensing a Call
I lived in the state of “confusion” for a long time concerning God’s call on my life to full-time ministry. At that time I was a cowboy - working on a small ranch/farm in Terry, MS. One of my main jobs there was to tend to the horses - ride them, and break the colts. Since I had grown up riding and showing horses in timed events, this was right up my ally! Also by this time I had gotten my ‘Journeymen Plumber Card’ through the City of Jackson Plumbing School. (We had a plumbing company in the family - so I was “just supposed” to follow all my other family members into plumbing.) I found neither of these ‘jobs’ internally fulfilling. They were simply a means by which to keep filling our bellies. All the while, my heart was longing to do Student Ministry in a local church setting. But no church is going to ‘call’ a bonehead-cowboy-plumber to work with their students! RIGHT??????? WRONG!!!!!!! My own home church at that time, Hillcrest Baptist Church, did. (See! There really is a God!!!) With their help, I was sent back to Miss. College to finish up my four year degree. I served Hillcrest for 15 GREAT years! (“GREAT” depends on who you ask. Some enjoyed the time together - others endured it.) I am now serving my third church at First Hattiesburg after serving FBC Gautier, MS on the Coast for 8 years, and as I’ve stated already, Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jackson for 15 years. I am now walking in my calling and living out God’s will for my life and am experiencing true fulfillment.
Vision
My vision for First Hattiesburg is for us to be a GREAT church. But not as the world measures greatness - but as greatness is defined and exemplified by God Himself! True greatness looks just exactly like this … . “WHOEVER DESIRES TO BECOME GREAT AMONG YOU SHALL BE YOUR SERVANT … FOR THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSON FOR MANY.” (Jesus - Mark 10:43 -45) Our greatness, or lack thereof, is determined by two main things - serving & giving. (This applies to individuals as well as our church.) So my vision is straight forward and simple - SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS, (see Matt. 25: 31-46), and by GIVING what we have that meets the needs that others have. (Jesus GAVE His life because OUR need was for forgiveness. He gave that which met the need.) As we SERVE sacrificially and GIVE generously so as to bless and benefit the lives of others in Jesus’ name, then we are becoming a GREAT CHURCH.
